In a destination as historic and strikingly beautiful as La Capitale-Nationale, Quebec City landmarks aren’t hard to come by. In fact, you probably won’t be able to put your camera down in this charming capital city!

Fortunately, if you’re planning to stay at one of the centrally-located boutique hotels in Quebec City, these landmarks will all fall within walking distance of your accommodation. That is, of course, provided you don’t mind a climb and/or a fun funicular ride!

Come discover the Quebec City landmarks that await in this fairytale destination, from beautiful buildings, to a magnificent mural, to a castle-like hotel fit for a princess!

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Topping the list as the most historic of the Quebec City landmarks is the incomparable Place Royale in the lower town.

Despite its petite size, Place Royale holds tremendous significance to Québécois, as it’s the very spot where Samuel de Champlain founded the city!

Understandably, visiting this landmark – which serves as the birthplace of French America – is easily one of the best things to do in Quebec City.

Places over 400 years old are quite uncommon to find in North America, which is why Quebec City is one of the best Canadian cities to visit if you love history.

As you may imagine, the square is crafted from cobblestone and the buildings were carefully restored to reflect both French and British influences. Today, the square is home to charming shops and my favorite café in the city, Café La Maison Smith.

Place Royale is located at 2-4 Rue des Pains Bénits, Ville de Québec, QC G1K Rue des Pains Bénits, Québec, QC G1K 4G7.

Located just off of the idyllic Place Royale is the Fresque des Québécois, one of the city’s most impressive murals and Quebec City landmarks, spanning 420 square meters.

It’s so impressive, in fact, that many people mistake it for a legitimate street scene at first glance!

The Fresque des Québécois was completed in 1999 and has since been a favorite place of photographers as well as a popular stopping point on many city tours.

How many famous figures can you spot?

Fresque des Québécois is located at 29 Rue Notre-Dame, Québec, QC G1K 4E9.

It’s featured on the wall of Maison Soumande on Rue Notre-Dame.

If shopping is on the agenda, you can’t miss a stroll along Rue du Petit Champlain, a.k.a “Little Champlain Street” in English. Located in the Petit Champlain commercial district, this idyllic street is chock-full of charming boutique shops.

It’s also one of the most popular Quebec City Instagram spots, particularly the Boutique Martino/Amimoc facade with its characteristic yellow shutters and bright red doors.

This shoe store specializes in Amimoc moccasins and slippers.

Given the irresistible charm and numerous offerings on Rue du Petit Champlain, this street is especially festive and popular during the winter holidays.

While navigating to “Rue du Petit Champlain” is self-explanatory, the specific location of Boutique Martino/Amimoc is 35½ Rue du Petit Champlain, Québec, QC G1K 4H5.

For a dramatic viewpoint of Fairmont Le Château Frontenac – one of the city icons that we’ll cover in the “upper town” section – head to Rue du Marche Champlain.

Walking along this busy street is one of the best ways to get a feel for the levels of the city and experience the stark contrast between the lower and upper towns.

Rue du Marche Champlain is located on the south end of the lower town, across from the port.

You can probably imagine my excitement level when I first discovered a street in Quebec City adorned in umbrellas before our trip (via an online search)…

…And, consequently, you may well imagine my level of disappointment when it turned out there were zero umbrellas during our visit in early June!

(But if you look closely, you can spot some dangling strings that I presume are usually used to hang them…)

So, what gives?

While “Umbrella Alley” is a legitimate street (that actually has umbrellas sometimes), that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be lucky enough to catch them on your visit.

Personally, I thought they’d be in full swing by June, but alas, I was mistaken. From what I read online, the umbrellas are typically displayed once the weather warms up for spring, but clearly this isn’t a hard-and-fast rule…

In any case, here’s an idea of what the street will look like when the umbrellas are up:

That said, don’t let a lack of umbrellas rain on your parade! Umbrella Alley is still an adorable street and worth a trip regardless of whether the umbrellas are up or not. I certainly wasn’t missing a chance to visit (nor a photo op) here!

Umbrella Alley is located at 5 Rue du Cul-de-Sac suite 21, Québec, QC G1K 4H6.

Another beautiful street in the lower town is Rue Saint-Pierre. The best way to describe its location is that it’s just outside the center of the lower town, just north of Place Royale.

While it’s not exactly a hidden gem since it’s close to many sites in the lower town, the street is still relatively overlooked compared to some of the other Quebec City landmarks in this guide. Personally, I think that’s all the more reason to check it out!

This spot is located on the same street as Auberge Saint-Pierre, the lovely hotel we stayed at. You can read more about our experience at this charming 3-star property in my hotel guide to Quebec City.

Navigate to Rue Saint-Pierre.

A lesser-known (but equally beautiful) street in the lower town is Rue des Pains Bénits. This is what I’d consider one of those hidden-gem side streets.

If you don’t know to look for it, you can easily miss it, but it’s really easy to navigate to once you’re in the lower town near the funicular.

Rue des Pains Bénits will be the second street on your left as you’re walking away from the funicular.

As I’ve shared in my guide to the best boutique hotels in Quebec City, Old Quebec is divided into two sections: the lower town and the upper town.

Well, it just so happens that the stairway connecting the two towns is anything from ordinary; in fact, it’s one of the most iconic Quebec City landmarks!

Escalier Casse-Cou – or “Breakneck Steps,” as they’re known in English – consist of 59 steep steps that merge Côte de la Montagne (upper town) with Rue du Petit-Champlain (lower town).

The view from the top of the stairs is quite impressive, but it’s far from a secret! In fact, it’s easily one of the most popular photo spots in Quebec City.

The Breakneck Steps are located at 5 Esc. Casse-Cou, Québec, QC G1K 9L9.

If steep staircases aren’t really your style, then you’ll likely be tempted by the stair-less alternative – the funicular!

While this option is undoubtedly a tourist-friendly novelty, it really comes in handy after a long day of on-foot sightseeing.

Just like the Breakneck Steps, the funicular connects the lower and upper towns. It provides a smooth and relaxing journey back and forth between the two, provided heights aren’t a problem for you. If not, be sure to enjoy the view and snap a picture along the way!

The funicular runs daily year-round from 9AM to 10PM.

Ride fare is $4USD per way (including tax). Tickets can only be purchased on-site. Wheelchair users and children under 117cm can ride for free. Pets also receive free access.

The main funicular entrance is located within Louis Jolliet at 16 Rue Petit-Champlain in the lower town.

The upper town entrance is located on Dufferin Terrace.

No visit to Quebec City would be complete without witnessing the beauty of the striking Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in the upper town. This is the main monument associated with Quebec and much more than a landmark luxury hotel. It’s truly the icon of the city and the queen of all Quebec City landmarks in this guide.

Perched atop a bluff, the majestic, 610-room Fairmont Le Château Frontenac dramatically towers over Quebec City like something out of a Disney movie. Widely considered the most photographed hotel in the world, it’s hosted the likes of such celebrities as Steven Spielberg, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Theodore Roosevelt, to name a few.

Even if you’re not able to swing a stay at this top-tier landmark hotel, a visit is an absolute must!

You may even wish to join a small guided tour of Fairmont Le Château Frontenac to learn about its history and admire its impressive interior.

Similar to the Eiffel Tower in terms of its easily recognizable facade and many wonderful vantage points, one of the best places to witness it up close is along Terrasse Dufferin (Dufferin Terrace, in English).

Dufferin Terrace is a gigantic stretch of wooden boardwalk that runs for 430 meters – the length of the hotel (and then some). It provides gorgeous views of the magnificent Château Frontenac as well as the beautiful St. Lawrence River below.

Here, you can snap some gorgeous photos, take a beautiful sunset stroll, watch street performers, and enjoy the beautiful view over the river from one of the many benches. Dufferin Terrace is also where you’ll catch the funicular heading down to the lower town.

Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is located at 1 Rue des Carrières, Québec, QC G1R 4P5.

Terrasse Dufferin is located at Rue des Carrières, Quebec, QC G1R 5j5.

While Terrasse Dufferin is inarguably a pretty place to view Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, my vote for the best hotel view – and the top panoramic view over the city – goes to Parc du Bastion-de-la-Reine.

If you’re looking for a little escape from some of the busier and more touristed Quebec City landmarks in this guide, Parc du Bastion-de-la-Reine is the perfect place to enjoy the tranquility of nature.

Easily one of the most beautiful places in Quebec, this park is located next to the Citadelle of Quebec (the next destination in this guide). It offers sprawling greenery and is the perfect setting for sunbathing, people-watching, and enjoying a relaxing picnic away from the crowds.

Plus, Parc du Bastion-de-la-Reine is totally free to visit!

P.S. If nature escapes are your jam, I highly recommend taking a fun day trip from Quebec City to Montmorency Falls. This striking natural wonder is only 15 minutes from the heart of Quebec City by car!

Parc du Bastion-de-la-Reine is located at 34 Av. Saint-Denis, Québec, QC G1R 4B6.

The easiest way to access it is either by climbing the stairs at the southern end of Dufferin Terrace or by walking to the north end of the Avenue Saint-Denis.

If sprawling greens are up your alley, then you definitely cannot miss a visit to the Citadelle of Quebec. Also known as “La Citadelle” in French, this active military installation sits atop Cap Diamant at the highest natural point in the city.

The Citadelle of Quebec represents another National Historic Site of Canada. It serves as the second official residence of the governor general of Canada and the Canadian monarch.

The Citadel is open daily from 10AM to 5:30PM, with the final tours of the day departing at 4PM.

You can check out the visitor information including admission fees here.

The Citadelle of Quebec is located at 1 Côte de la Citadelle, Québec, QC G1R 3R2.

Located atop Parliament Hill is an important city structure of the same name, the Parliament Building. This four-winged building is one of the most significant government landmarks in Quebec City. Home to the National Assembly of Quebec, it serves as the seat of Quebec’s government.

For those wishing to view the interior, free guided tours of the Parliament Building are available at select times.

Directly in front of the impressive Parliament Building is the equally eye-catching Fontaine de Tourny, originally an installation in Bordeaux from 1857 – 1960.

This gorgeous fountain was eventually shipped to Quebec City where it was restored to its current beauty to serve as the city’s 400th-anniversary present.

Today it’s beloved by visitors – and anyone looking for a refreshing mist on a warm day!

The Parliament Building is located at 1045 Rue des Parlementaires, Québec, QC G1A 1A3.

Fontaine de Tourny is located at Place de l’Assemblée-Nationale, Québec, QC G1R 3V9.

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If you’re interested in a landmark spot where you can also enjoy a delicious bite, then the final two spots in this guide will be right up your alley!

Restaurant Anciens Canadiens is one of the most quintessential red-roofed restaurants in the city.

Located within a historic home from 1677, this ridiculously charming restaurant looks like it tumbled straight out of a storybook.

Restaurant Anciens Canadiens is highly-rated and specializes in gourmet French-Canadian cuisine. While we didn’t have a chance to eat here on this trip, I do have a separate guide on some of the tastiest Old Quebec restaurants!

Restaurant Anciens Canadiens is located at 34 Rue Saint-Louis, Quebec, QC G1R 4P3.

Speaking of charming red-roofed restaurants, I couldn’t complete this guide to the best landmarks in Quebec City without mentioning the iconic Bistro 1640.

Housed within the most storybook 17th-century building on the corner of Rue Saint-Anne, Bistro 1640 is located on the ground floor of the Auberge Place d’Armes, one of the top boutique hotels in Quebec City’s upper town.

(The upper two floors are designated to the Auberge du Trésor hotel.)

Bistro 1640 specializes in French food and offers both lunch and dinner.

Bistro 1640 is located at 20 Rue Sainte-Anne, Québec, QC G1R 3X2.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this virtual tour of some of the best landmarks and irresistibly Instagrammable gems in Quebec City. For a relatively small Canadian city, it packs a lot of punch in terms of interesting history, fascinating architecture, and places of natural beauty.

Which of these Quebec City landmarks intrigues you the most? Let me know in the comments below!

Looking to explore more of what Quebec City has to offer? Check out my other guides:

• 17 Charming Boutique Hotels in Quebec City
• 10 Tasty Old Quebec Restaurants & Cafés for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Plan the Perfect Day Trip to Quebec City to Montmorency Falls